We the undersigned call on Essex County as the Highways Authority to note the following objections in relation to the proposed Olympic Boulevard TRO TRAF/8394.

This proposed road closure contradicts the original Colchester Borough Council Notice of Planning Decision, specifically applications numbers 100035 & 112401 (O/COL/01/1624), which state that after the completion of North Approach Road (Phase 3), “the access to Mill Road shall be closed to general traffic and its use restricted to public transport vehicles, emergency vehicles, taxis, motorcycles and cycles, by the imposition of an appropriate control mechanism (...)”. The reason stated for this purpose was: “To ensure that the highways infrastructure is suitable to serve the need of development.

Essex County Council is proposing to amend the original Planning Applications by canceling planned bus services and closing the road to public transport vehicles, emergency vehicles, taxis, and motorcycles. This proposal conflicts with the original plan, undermines its intent, and contradicts the conditions that influenced Residents' decisions to purchase homes in the area.

The bus gate on Olympic Boulevard has not been commissioned since its installation approximately 10 years ago, and no bus service has ever operated on the estate. As a result, most Colchester residents, particularly those who regularly use nearby roads, are aware that the bus gate is not enforced and treat Olympic Boulevard like any other public road, driving through the estate. This includes many Rosewood Residents, who primarily use Olympic Boulevard to access their properties when traveling to and from North East Colchester (schools, Tesco, work).

The closure of Olympic Boulevard would have significant negative consequences:

1. Emergency vehicle access:

The original plan kept the road open for emergency vehicles. Installing a traffic island and bollards would block access from Brinkley Grove Road/Mill Road to Rosewood for all cars, including emergency services. This could delay response times if emergency vehicles can only access Rosewood via Via Urbis Romanae. A few extra minutes waiting for an ambulance could have a significant and potentially life-threatening impact, especially for Residents requiring urgent medical assistance due to a stroke or heart attack.

2. Environmental impact:  Increased traffic would lead to higher emissions and pollution. 

Residents who drop off and pick up their children from Brinkley Grove School, Highwoods Community School, Colchester School of Gymnastics, shop at Tesco, or commute to work in North East Colchester would be forced to use Via Urbis Romanae, Mill Road, or Axial Way, adding an extra 1.2 to 1.4 miles per trip (one way). This would result in an additional 800 to 1,600 miles annually, negatively impacting the environment and contradicting Essex County Council’s goal to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.

3. Traffic congestion:

The closure would exacerbate congestion on Via Urbis Romanae, particularly once Turnstone Estates' Northern Gateway is fully developed, including restaurants, a 12-screen cinema, 350 houses, 300 older people’s homes, a medical center, a health campus, and a private hospital. Via Urbis Romanae is already becoming more congested, and with ongoing development in the area, forcing 248 Rosewood households through a single exit/entry would strain local traffic management. Many Residents use Via Urbis Romanae as the main route to the A12, train station, or ASDA, however, Residents driving in other directions would prefer to continue accessing Rosewood via the Mill Road/Brinkley Grove Road roundabout when going to schools or Tesco, rather than increasing congestion on Mill Road or Axial Way due to the closure of Olympic Boulevard.

4. Increased travel times:

Residents would face longer journeys to essential destinations like Tesco Highwoods, Brinkley Grove School, Highwoods Community School, Colchester School of Gymnastics, or any part of North East Colchester. This would result in some Residents spending an additional 3,500 to 8,000 minutes annually in a car due to the closure of Olympic Boulevard. These travel times would increase further once the Northern Gateway is complete

5. Property values:

 Closing a key access route to Rosewood Estate via Olympic Boulevard could have a negative impact on property values within the estate.

We the undersigned call on Essex County as the Highways Authority to address the above objections and execute one of the following resolutions: 

1. Open the road to allow access from Mill Road/Brinkley Grove Road to the Rosewood Estate and vice versa, by removing the bus gate and replacing it with appropriate signage, such as “Except for access” or “Except for taxis, cycles, and access.”ti

2. If the gated access proposed above cannot be implemented, remove the bus gate and open the road to all vehicles, with speed restrictions already in place (raised tables) and the new 20 mph zone signs included in TRAF/8394, along with any additional signage or measures if necessary.

Both options would permit emergency vehicles to access Rosewood from Mill Road and vice versa, as per original planning application and would eliminate or reduce the concerns raised in this petition. We appreciate your consideration of our concerns and taking appropriate action.